This looks like a job for Gentleman!
Inspired by "its neither a bird nor a plane its Deku". In a world where exist both metahumans and quirk users, magicians and aliens lots of people still can't become professional heroes. But who needs license to bring justice to the streets? Certainly not Vigilantes from Naruhata. A little crossover between "My Hero Academia Illegals" and DC universe.
Hi everybody. I hope everyone has a nice day today! Anyway, this is my first try in writing fanfiction. Perhaps this first chapter was a little bit too similar to the original manga, but I guess it isn't that bad. This first chapter is meant to simply introduce reader to our protagonists, since original manga isn't actually popular, at least as far as I see.
Chapter 0: railgun.
It was normal Sunday. Some people were relaxing, while some were walking around or jogging. And some were running for… Other reasons…
-No-no-no-no,-thought young man with short dark brown hair, running through a busy street while looking at his phone,-I'm late, again!
Lad rushed through the crowd without paying any attention to his surroundings. Now only three things existed for him: he himself, his phone and his job-a little shop, which was pretty close by now. After a couple of minutes he flew through the window, panting heavily. After taking a moment to catch his breath youngster looked at his phone. He was late for only 16 minutes this time. And it looks like nobody was around, so maybe his boss won't…
-Koichi Haimawari!-said a male voice from the left. With fear in his eyes, Koichi turns towards the voice. There stood a short and skinny middle-aged man, whose angry look and literally burning eyes made him look actually intimidating.
-I understand that you are a young man and you have to combine your job with your college, but can you come at work right on time at least once!?
-Y-yes sir, I'm sorry it will ne…
-I heard that the last four times,-said short man and threw a striped shirt right at youngster,-now put it on and get to work.
Without arguing Koichi went over the counter, taking off his orange hoodie and putting on his uniform. With relaxed smile he sat down and started waiting for customers, feeling a little embarrassed because of his lateness. Why was he late?
It's all started about an hour ago. Koichi started his morning early by going around the city, helping old women to cross the street, helping some strangers with navigating around. It was some sort of a hobby of his. "Working hard and doing good things feel so good" was sort of a motto that he usually told himself with a stupid smile.
One of the people he met was young local idol. Surrounded by the crowd of people, a 19-20 years old girl with painted black domino mask and fluffy pink hair, gathered in two tails. She wore succubus-themed dark leotard with heart-shaped opening on her chest, high boots, long gloves that went all the way to her elbows, necklace with little sapphire and a really short skirt that gave a perfect view on her bare thighs. It looked like more than half of the crowd came here only because of the last part.
But Koichi paused here because he honestly liked what she sang. Despite that he didn't understand a word. Another language, perhaps. The only words he understood were the ones where the singer introduced herself. Pop step.
It looked like young singer enjoyed her performance. She sang her unusual song with passions, leaping unnaturally high into the air to the rhythm of a pop beat, while mysterious pink flames dance around her. They were forming rings around her, underlining every part of her body, and after that they started to form different patterns behind singers back. Heart, wings, it looked like it even started to form a huge flaming bird behind her, but sudden male voice disrupted it:
-It's the police! They are coming this way!- screamed Koichi from the crowd, while distracted singer froze for a couple of seconds, as flames went out.
-Thank you everybody! I love all of you!-she said to the crowd, sanding an air kiss to them and jumping on the roof of the nearest building. And then to the next, until Pop Step disappeared from the view of her fans.
After that Koichi continued to walk around the street. With his hands in pockets and little smile on his face, young man slowly started daydreaming. Maybe he didn't become a hero, but he felt like one helping others. He slowly closed his eyes and smiled brightly, trying to mimic his idol, the number 1 hero-All Might!
-Hey! Watch it!-barked unknown man with spiky hair, an empty bottle in his hand and a fist near young Koichis face he just punched,-you spilled my juice, apologize!
Stranger gave Koichi very intimidating look. If Haimawari wasn't so focused on him, he would see two equally intimidating men behind the stranger with juice, who continued to talk:
-Get down and grovel!
He commanded, to which Koichi quickly obeyed. Young man stood on his knees, touching the floor with his hands and head. The man, along with his friends, began to laugh. Seeing an opportunity in this young man, without moving a muscle, rapidly dashed to the opposite direction.
Quirk: sliding. This quirk allows user to glide around on plain surfaces if he touches the surface in at least three places.
-Hey, get back here!- screamed a man, while Haimawari was already sliding away with a speed equal to a bicycle. It took some time to run away from them, and when he did-he noticed that he was late for work, again.
And now there he was. Alone in almost deserted little shop where he was stuck for today. Sometimes people came by, buying groceries. But in time, ordinary boring day passed into the evening. Entrance door slowly opened, letting in new customers.
-Welcome here, how can I…-Koichi quickly froze as he realized who entered the place. The exact same guys he ran away from this morning. Better hope they don't remember him.
-Hey, you are that cockroach,-and after that spikey-haired man puncher young man straight in the jaw,- this is for running from us, ass..
And after that stranger took a little bottle from one of the counters and went straight towards the exit, saying with a cocky smile:
-and that for my juice. Never appear in front of me again.
Cashier didn't answer. He simply stroke his hurting cheek and released silent annoyed growl. He put off his uniform and closed the shop, mumbling to himself.
-Guys like him must be handled by the police. What is his problem? I'm sick of him and others like him…-he kept saying to himself, leaving his job and slowly going into the nearest alley.
-At least it's finally time for me to use this…-thought Koichi as he opened his backpack and took his costume from it. Well, costume was a pretty big word, actually. It was just blue and yellow All Might hoodie and a black mask that covered entire lower half of his face.
-And now it's time for gentleman!-he proudly exclaimed, coping All Mights signature pose. And after that little moment of his enthusiasm our hero became to do the thing he was best at-he started taking out the trash and cleaning the exact alley he was in. After about 20 minutes gentleman went out to the streets, sliding around like a little bug, picking up the trash and helping random bystanders. Helping to get on a bus, go across a road, find a way around the neighborhood-Koichi did everything. And of course, after a couple of hours of this he was really tired. Tired and proud of himself.
Koichi slowly went through the empty street, stretching and yawning. Sky already was pretty dark, lit by nothing but the stars and the incomplete moon.
-Take it,- said a sudden female voice and threw to him a bottle of soda.
-Thanks,-said Koichi without even processing who was that kind lady, but when he actually understood who was before him, he almost screamed,-Pop Step! What are you doing?
-Hey, you are the guy who told me about the police, aren't you? I just wanted to thank you, that's all, cockroach-man,-the last part she said with a teasing smile.
-Its gentleman,- her murmured, while continued drinking.
-Anyway, what's with lame All Might cosplay?
-It isn't lame!,-quickly responded Koichi,- its inspiring. This hoodie show that anyone can be the hero if he wants.
-Uhu… Tell that to any villain you will meet, "hero",-the girl giggled a little.
-Being a hero is not always about fighting! Its about doing the right thing and everyone can do that in their own way.
-"Their own way".. So you are that kind of guy?
-Yes, knowing your place is really important. And you should find yours too.
-What do you mean by that!?-angrily shouted pink haired singer. It scared gentleman a little, so he reflexively raised his hands.
-I just meant you are too good for being a mere street singer! You should become a pro!
-Uh…-was the only thing Pop Step, blushing. And after a couple of seconds she gently pushed Koichi and smiled a little wider. Even if she acted confident, her smile looked a bit fake, but young man couldn't notice something like that,-so, you are a fan, huh? Maybe you could help me with some things? Crowd control, security, goods to sell. You already are a seller, aren't you?-the girl chuckled a little.
Haimawari just stood there for a couple of seconds, processing what he heard in silence. He blinked a couple of times and then said:
-N-n-no! Sorry, but I already have my classes, one job and a duty to feel!
-Whatever,-said the idol and turned around. She was clearly disappointed. That was expected even by Koichi. But what wasn't that she would start running away from him. That was a little… Odd.
The girl quickly disappeared from gentlemans view, but after a minute and a half he heard idols scream.
-Go away!-said the girl as one of the guys pressed her to the wall. The exact same guy who bullied Koichi today. Looks like he found another victim. And he wasn't alone.
-hey, I think I know her! Its that singer from the internet who likes to do some weird tricks on her performance,-said a bulky guy with a lizard face.
-Oh, really?-said a guy with spikey hair as he moved closer towards her,-mind to show us one of your little tricks?
The girl started to cry as he ominously smiled, slowly moving his hand towards her amulet. He grabbed it and with a strong pull took it. In a bright purple light vulgarly dressed singer… Shrank down a bit. Overall she looked the same, except that now she looked less developed. Almost like she was just a teenager now.
-Well, you certainly look less hot this way,-said a man with disappointment and a little surprise in his voice.
-Eh, guys, stop that…-said young man who just arrived to the scene.
-Its not your business!-said one of the crooks.
-Yes, not mine…-silently said Koichi, looking at the girls face. She looked different, but that didn't bother him. But her tears, the pain and fear on her face-that was painful to watch. Much more painful than any pain these guys can deal. With a deep breath he adjusted the glove on his trembling hand and said,-but I'm the man who cannot ignore people in need! I'm gentleman!
-Wha?-asked an unnaturally huge bald guy, as he turned towards Koichi, while young man set down and placed his hand on the floor and started to think of a plan. First-push a guy who was near Pop away from her, grab him and throw him into the big dude. But all of that was just a theory. But reality surpassed even it. Gentleman began to sparkle with electricity and then disappeared in a loud "BOOM". It looked like he exploded, if it wasn't for a loud sound of crushed concrete that got the attention of both lizard-like and huge crooks. Pop step stood unharmed, but she still screamed because of the shock. In a mere centimeters from her spiky-haired man laid unconscious, while slightly above him was Koichi a couple inches into the wall. It would be hard to even tell if he was alive if it wasn't for a couple of choked painful groans. But it looked like he wont go anywhere for a while now. And there were still this two freaks. Pop Step nervously gulped in returned silence.
A silent clang of metal on the floor. A little bit louder sound of releasing gas. Dark clouds of smoke quickly covered everything around the singer as she started to cough. Goons were screaming while someone was beating them with something metallic. It lasted only for a couple of seconds. But for Pop Step it was an eternity as she froze in fear. When at least part of the smoke cleaned-she couldn't see the goons, who most likely was on the floor. The only thing she saw-a huge dark silhouette with bright white eyes and a couple of horns on his head. The girl had only a couple of options who it could be and she didn't know which was worse. That thing before her was either a demon… Or Batman…